The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1887-10-15


sympathy with the better views of our
church; yet continually deny the Mas
ter in public, and follow him, if at all,
so far off that no one would mistrust
that they had any knowledge of him.
If we had no history of Peter beyond
the record in Matthew's gospel, we
would lose the richer, most successful
and triumphant part of'ilis life. AS we
take it up again in Acts we find him a
greater man. His weakness has be-
come strength, his secularism has
changed to rare spirituality since his
solicitude about his reward, as to what
it should be.
Now when the sorcerer offered him
money if he would confer upon him the
divine power that those upon whom he
should lay his hands might receive
the Holy Ghost, Peter said unto him:
"Thy money perish with thee, because
thou hast thought the gift of God is pur-
chased with money" He was the leader
among those who enjoyed the Pentecostal
feast. He seemed to be in sympathy
with multitude of angels who manifest
ed their presence wherever he went to
preach. By their aid he healed the sick
and raised the dead. By them he was
visited in his sleeping and waking hours
and released from shackles and prison.
Our church, like Peter, when Jesus call
ed him from the common labors of life,
has been entrusted with the full text OF
Christ's religion. To us have been given
the broad and beautiful principles Of
universal love and universal salvation;
but like Peter we have too often failed
of the spirit and to declare the whole
counsel of God. Perhaps we have been
too anxious about the reward, or the
high seat in the synagogue; more willing
to rebuke those whom we considered I'M
authorized teachers than to recognize all
good works and all phases of truth as
having the authority of God. While we
have enjoyed many seasons of clear shin
| ing, when the Masters smile was beam
ing light, when the heaven of promise
opened before us, while indeed we have
realized often the blessing of his trans
figured face, like Peter, we have come
down from the mountain but TO forget
the blessings and promise; to deny him
in daily life; to bring reproach upon him
because we were only halt converted.
Yet though ell this retrospection is evil
dence of wonderful growth; not. howev-
or, because We have always been true
and worthy, but because that sacred
truth, seemingly entrusted to us in the
hands of one whose designs are never de-
feated and whose promises never fail
More than hundred years of work in
the name OF UniversaIism in America,
and fifty years Of organized effort in the
State of Illinois, show Enthusiastically that
God is with his people, blessing all true
endeavor and rebuking with unswerving
justice all recreancy and denial. Because
Universalism is the embodiment of his
truth, and it's fundamental principles are
Of divine origin, they'have the eternal
watchcare; and by his, favor have his
faithful servants beer .epabled to build
churches, establi4 ssHs ls and send from
the press many white 2hged messengers
of love and wisdom. The existence OF
truth depends on God; the enjoyment OF
it on ourselves. / believe that our
church is one chosen OF the Lord as an
instrument of progress; and though like
Peter it has many tiaies fallen far short
of its high calling, still its growth and
development have been wonderful. Often
may we hear the pathetic, but scathing
rebuke, Lowest thou me more than
these" and as often may we receive the
| evidence of forgiveness in the tender
command, "Feed my sheep" OH may we
not hope that from the time of this semi
centennial meeting (Which we trust may
prove to be pentecostal in its spirit) our
record OF labor and success may be su-
perior to that Of the past, as is the record
of Peter in his last years superior to that
at his earlier life. Our hearts overflow
to-day with gratitude for the success we
as denomination have been enabled to
achieve; that in our weakness and
strength God has been with us, blessing
our sacrifices and reLuking our denials.
Jesus told the disciples to take no
thought what they should say in defense
when they should be brought before
councils and kings for the sake of the
truth. The Father would defend them
by his spirit, for the very hairs of their
heads were numbered. This promise
has been abundantly verified in these
later days. God had blessed to remark
able degree those who sacrificed to es-
tablish the doctrine of his universal love
to this new world. Sitting here to-day in
the atmosphere of harmony; enjoying
the thrills of sympathy quivering through
so many hearts, born fully into the peace
and Joy OF our holy faith, we can scarce
ly realize what our fathers suffered of
ostracism and persecution to make this
occasion possible. Bravely did they face
the foe, armed with the sword of the
spirit, enduring privations which would
daunt many of us. Yet the Father sup
ported them by his spirit, inspiring them
with the logic of love. until to-day the
old doctrines against which they contend